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السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Hey folks!

I'm back with a fab update. I can't wait for you all to read this. It is so dramatic. I can't even. Read and find out for yourself.

***

#34 The Ultimate Humiliation

Junaina Javed Ali had come to a decision. The best way to put an end to her inner turmoil is to first get information. Yep, I've been driven to enough madness to start talking about myself in third person.  And break the fourth wall.

From the moment I had reached the bus stop Baseera had started giving Zaid and me furtive little glances. I was hoping he'd go to school with Iqra Di for once. And then there was so much talk, hushed talk wherever I went. The second I turned around it would stop, and all those fake smiles. The way people looked at me, even discreetly or not so discreetly pointed at me. The hushed laughter.

It was maddening, frustrating and I had reached my burning point.

'Uh oh,' Lia said as soon as she spotted me. I had the most neutral expression on. But my friends like Lia and Haseeb would understand just by seeing my face.

'Assalamualaikum you two,' I greeted.

'Wa alaikumasalaam, even your salam feels lethal. Looks like you saw the stuff he put on the group.' Haseeb commented with a wry look.

I was puzzled. That Azhar was the one being alluded to, I understood. My suspicions were already raised with all that's been happening. I didn't realize he had put something online though. That jerk used mass communication. When I'm done with him, his little stunt will look like those unread little advertisements printed in some small corner of newspapers.

'Which group?'

'The whatsapp one.' Lia answered.

They were both being extra careful. Lia looked like she'd be subjected to horrible torture any second. Poor girl. I couldn't help smirking at the effect I had on her.

And she was my friend. Imagine how Azhar would feel once I break his ego for good.

Pride goes before a fall, Juni. Wise and dear little inner voice said.

'Should I be scared as well? You look downright evil,' Haseeb said grinning.

'Chill guys. Say Alhamdulilah you're not Azhar,' I said, my smirk widening. Lia relaxed making me crack up.

'Seriously. Everytime you give Azza and Wafa those scornful looks of yours, I thank Allah that I ended up becoming your friend,' Lia rambled. It was adorable. I pinched her cheeks gushing, 'You're too cute!'

'Back to the matter at hand, you seriously didn't see what's in the group? ' Haseeb asked.

'Nope. I had muted it. All the nonsense and riff raff that goes on in there. I'm no haram police or saint either, but sometimes I feel like slapping sense into some of those girls. And guys.'

Haseeb and Lia agreed wholeheartedly with my tirade. I asked them what rubbish Azhar had shared there. Worry did gnaw at my heart since all the gossip queens and kings of this school thrived in there. Mostly cronies of Azhar's and Azza's. And they repulsed me.

'He's upto his old tricks again. Spreading rumors. He's claiming that you and Zaid are in a relationship.' Haseeb explained dryly. His otherwise kind eyes had a stern look in them.

For a moment my heart skipped a beat.

And then it was pounding furiously. How dare he! Whatever my feelings for Zaid were, only Lia was privy to them. And she wouldn't betray me. I always kept them compressed inside, staying as cool as a cucumber. And Zaid! He doesn't even look at me! At least if we interacted some way in public there would be ground for this rumor. Such baseless claims and all these idiots in this school lapping it up!

Ugh!

I felt like stamping my feet and throwing tantrums and screaming and swearing. And maybe killing that Azhar in the most painful way possible. The nerve he has…

Wait. 

Haseeb said up to his old tricks. Again.

'Again?' I emphasized my question with air quotes.

Haseeb gulped. He hadn't meant to say that. It was evident from the way he was trying to slip away. Again. Which means Azhar had done this before. And putting two and two together it was obvious that he had targeted Zaid before as well. Not Zaid alone though.

'Zaid and Najwa.' Lia breathed out, reaching the same conclusion as I did.

I stared steadily at Haseeb, hoping he would spill more. How did he know that they were Azhar's targets though?

'So their being in a relationship was a rumor spread by Azhar as well?' Lia prodded.

'I.. uh..' Haseeb trailed off nervously.

He ran off as the bell for assembly rang. Literally saved by the bell. Knowing how close he is to Samar and Zaid, he would have been aware of the truth. I guess he felt like it was not his secret to share as well. Oh boy… I would really have to approach Najwa for answers.

Because Zaid most definitely wouldn't give me any. And Samar would shoo me away before I could get a word in edgewise.

As we went downstairs to the central ground for assembly I peeked at the line of girls streaming out of X-B. A certain green eyed tall girl was supposed to be there. I couldn't get a clear view before I was rushed down the stairs by Azza. Giving her a particularly scorching glare, I faced forward and moved ahead.

I'd have to wait for the short break for a chance to get stuff cleared up.

And seek help with Sabr and Salah, Allah said. So I waited. Patiently.

Until all of it ran out at the first sound of the bell for short break. I was out of the class even before the boys were. Lia barely managed to keep up with me and not get trampled by all the boys. Storming into X-B, I scanned the room quickly and spotted Najwa at the back with Shikha. They were in a heated discussion.

Paying no heed to all the questions and calls being thrown at me, in seconds I dragged her from her seat and out with me.

'Juni?! What happened? Where are you taking me?' Najwa fired query after query as I pulled her down the stairs and all the way to the back of the masjid.

Lia and Shikha followed in hot pursuit. Lia pleading with me to stop and take a breather and Shikha furiously demanding me to let go of Najwa. I gave them and all the onlookers a deaf ear.

I finally let go of my hold on her once it was just the four of us. There was one girl taking wudu by the pipes.

'Leave,' I all but snarled at her.

Jumpy with fright, she scampered up the stairs to the masjid. Najwa was rubbing her arm where I had held her.

'What's the meaning of this?' Huffed Shikha.

'That's what I'd like to know as well,' I ground out, trying to keep my tone level. It would not do well to lose my temper here. Azhar's claims would only get more credibility should anyone see me like this.

Shikha gave me a confused look. But I ignored her. As she moved to question me again Najwa silenced her by raising her hand. She had grasped well what I meant. Though she schooled her features into composure, I had caught a glimpse of apology in her green eyes.

'I'm sure you'd have heard that Zaid and I are in a relationship,' I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

'I know you're not. Just like I wasn't. ' Najwa stated.

I crossed my arms, showing absolutely no reactions. Hardening my gaze on her, I concealed the relief my heart felt. There was still more to the story. And I wanted her to elaborate.

'But we all thought you were. I mean, unlike Juni and Zaid, you guys were together a lot.' Lia commented carefully.

Najwa sighed. A look of hurt flashed through her features.

'We were best friends.'

Her answered snatched my breath away. Best friends. Best. Friends. Zaid doesn't even talk to girls much. Let alone talking, he doesn't even look at girls. And Najwa says they were best friends. Although it felt like the farthest thing from the truth, it was as true as could be. Najwa's expressions of pain and reminiscence attested to the fact. The nostalgia in her vivid eyes shed the truth and tears.

'Just like he was after you, Azhar wanted me last year. He had his eyes set on me. And he was jealous. Because I never gave him time of the day. He hated Zaid because I was his best friend. He tried to draw my attention in many ways. Gifts. Sweet talk. Threats. Rumors.'

The last word was barely a whisper.

'Zaid stood up for me always, just as he does for you. He was the first line of defense between me and Azhar. And when Azhar insinuated something extremely dirty about me, he pummeled him. That was the last straw for Azhar. He always hated Zaid but never did anything against him to maintain himself in my good books. As though he ever was there in the first place.' Najwa choked on her sobs as she tried to continue.

Shikha got to her and lent her support, holding her close. She glared at me through a film of tears.

'Is this really necessary?' She seethed.

I felt sorry for Najwa. But I still needed answers. A full explanation.

'I need to take him down for good Shikha. Hurting Najwa was not part of my agenda. And to take Azhar down I need to have all my bases covered. I want to know if he's doing this because of me or Zaid. I want to know if it's just his angst against my family or something more. And more importantly, I want the truth. And this is the only way.'

As I spoke each word I drew closer to Najwa. I stopped and then took her hand in mine. She gazed at me, her eyes brightened further by the tears in them. I tried to share my compassion through a genuine smile. Najwa nodded. She stood straighter and wiped away her tears. Lia came closer and stood next to me, taking my hand in comfort.

We huddled together, bound by trust.

Together Najwa and Shikha explained how Azhar had spread rumors. Much the same way as he had done with me. Only, while people had doubts in my case, they truly believed them in hers. Zaid and Najwa tried to support each other but it only worsened the whole issue. And when things got out of hand and reached the adults, Samar stepped in and severed ties between Zaid and Najwa. The two of them had a hard time convincing their parents and teachers the truth of things.

At the end of it all Azhar won. He was more than pleased to see all the pain and negativity he had spread about.

'The worst part of it all is, somehow Azhar knew that I really did harbor feelings for Zaid.' Najwa said sadly. Her admission surprised me and yet I could understand.

How could one not have feelings for Zaid Hashim? I have feelings for him and we barely even talk. Zaid and Najwa were best friends. She knew him inside out. She was privy to his secrets, happiness, sorrows. He was part of her life. She had the luxury of conversations and laughter and smiles shared with him. It was bound to make her heart inclined to him.

'And that bloody jerk used it to his advantage.' Shikha fumed. 

Lia went and hugged Najwa, whispering words of comfort. Najwa closed her eyes and melted into the support.

'Samar knew as well, didn't he?' I asked Shikha.

'He never said so. But it was understood from his actions.'

She ran a hand through her short curls, messing them up in her frustration.

'And he is an overprotective idiot. He won't let me talk to Zaid. ' I ground out, feeling irritated too.

Shikha smiled at me in comprehension. 'You want to tell Zaid that you're not responsible for this huh.' She commented. Spot on. I looked away sheepishly.

'I'm sure he knows already. Especially since he's had this experience once before.' Najwa said. She had composed herself. Before I could respond the bell rang. We had to run all the way to class to get in before the teachers came.

My concentration was everywhere but on the lessons. Now that I knew the whole truth, I couldn't help but use it put things in order in my head. Most of Zaid's behavior made sense to me now. He wasn't behaving the way he did just because it's haram, but because of what Azhar did. And Samar's overprotective nature also fit in. I'm sure he wasn't aware of my feelings for Zaid. But he still doesn't want his friend's reputation to be tarnished because of a girl again. Not that Najwa or I am responsible for anything that happened.

It was all Azhar.

And if possible, my feelings for Zaid grew more prominent. Despite knowing what Azhar was capable of, he still stood up for me. Always. And I was not even his friend. Azhar's little insinuations made sense as well. He always said Zaid had a soft corner for me. He was provoking him, rubbing painful memories into his face.

And now this.

Initially he may have just targeted me as fresh meat. And because I was from the Ali family. But ever since Zaid stepped in for me, it probably evolved into a whole different ball game. A chance to make Zaid Hashim look bad, again. Azhar didn't bide his time to lay a trap for me. He did it to hurt Zaid again.

It made me angry. Like hulk angry. 

How dare that ass think he can get away with assaulting Zaid again? And that too by using me of all people!

My protective instincts and anger had peaked by the time it was lunch break. Once again I was out of the class before anyone could stop me. Both Lia and Haseeb had read murder in my eyes.

Once I reached the ground I stooped to grab some dirt in my hands. All eyes were on me as I straightened up. Students had lined up by the corridors and stood by doorways, watching me intently. I smirked, basking in the attention.

Azhar could always be found by the central corridor, lounging on the steps with his friends. He was laughing like a mad hyena when I approached him. He paused and watched me, his eyes gleaming. There was uncertainty there though. He didn't know what I was going to do.

And boy was he right. He should be afraid and run for his life. I was going to get back at him with class, but now it was plain fury acting in me.

'Assalamualaikum Azzu, we need to talk,' I said super sweetly. I gave an even more saccharine smile. He gulped. And then smiled. He still thought he had the upper hand.

'Wa alaikumasalaam Juni. Honestly, I was surprised you didn't come to me earlier,' he said standing up.

I grinned.

'Really? You should be thanking Allah that I delayed so much,' I commented making sure to keep my tone sweet.

He followed me wordlessly as I walked to the center of the nearly empty ground. The stage was set. It was time for action.

'So what's up Juni? Heard some stuff about you… is it true?' Azhar probed.

He thought he could put me off, just like that. Joke's on him and he doesn't even know. I felt like giving a theatrical mad laugh. Instead I smiled.

'You mean you made up some stories about me. I didn't know you were such a great fan of mine.' I stated, holding my hands to my heart. One hand still clasping the handful of dirt.

'What do you mean?' Azhar asked thrown off balance.

'Don't be shy Azzu. Admit it. You have feelings for me. But you're afraid I'd reject you.'

Sweet so sweet. I felt like gagging at myself.

'What on earth?! Who fed you with this rubbish? It's not me! It's Zaid and you who have feelings for each other. I just exposed your secret relationship,' he burst out angrily, pulling at his spiked up hair.

I always hated his tacky style.

I was tempted to answer in kind. But patience is the key. He thinks he can goad me into outrage.  Nah Azzu, nah.

'Oh come on. You think this is the first time boys have made up things about me? I've had scores of them like you, vying for my attention. You're just like the rest of those idiots who tried and failed to interest Junaina Ali,' I said, laughing lightly.

'No I'm NOT!' He screamed. Like a little girl.

Smiling in satisfaction I just looked around at our audience for effect. Most of them were trying not to laugh at Azhar. He followed my gaze and glared at everyone. Haseeb gave him a full blown grin.

Time to add more salt to dear Azzu's wounds.

Samar and Najwa and the rest would be here anytime now. I had to act fast. Azhar had to be humiliated to his bones.

'You're right. You are a bit different. Normally boys make up stories in which they're my boyfriends. You have put Zaid's name in. Are you like a fangirl? Do you ship Zaid and me? Do you call us Zaina or something to yourself? Aww… that's so cute! ' I gushed.

With every word I was risking getting attacked. But Azhar's expressions ranging from anger and outrage and confusion and humiliation were totally worth it.

'No. No. No. No. NO!' He yelled. And people really started laughing. He was doing all the work for me. Making such a sorry joke out of himself.

I laughed. He growled. I laughed again. And so did the rest of Marwa. Except Azhar's friends. They were not in the scene at all.

'You are wrong! Zaid is-' He started, but I cut him off.

'Your idol! I know. I understood it. You look up to him. And you adore me. So you thought we'd make a cute couple.'

His face became purple with rage. He shouted at people to stop laughing. They cracked up even more. Teachers were beginning to come out of staff rooms. The final touch should be added soon.

'STOP! This isn't true! You're making stuff up. She's making stuff up,' he cried out desperately.

Nobody paid him attention.

'You're right. I'm making stuff up. Just like you did, right?' I asked menacingly. Finally, I could unleash all the venom now.

There was silence as all of Marwa held their breath. And Azzu cracked.

'Right! Just like I did. I wanted to humiliate you and Zaid. But you just ruined me,' he admitted and then shouted. I knew he would attack. He lunged for me. I sprayed dirt on his face and stepped back.

'Time for payback, Azzu.' I stated.

As Azhar tried to get the dust out of his eyes, I searched around and finally spotted what I wanted. I loved our school ground. Always handy with such lovely weapons.

Seizing the stick I found, I hit him just as he tried to grab me. And I fulfilled my beastly desire of beating him up until he bruised and bled. I hit him with all the force in me.

'This is for being an ass!' I roared and hit his arm.

'This one is for spreading nonsense. I hope you bite your tongue off!' I yelled as I hit his leg making him fall on his knees.

'This for Zaid!' I said and hit his back as he fell in pain.

I would have murdered him if Samar and Zaid hadn't come in time and stopped me from bashing his skull in. Zaid ripped the stick out of my hand roughly just as Lia and Najwa pulled me away. A broken bit of the log tore at the skin of my palm opening up a bloody gash. That cleared the violent screen in my head.

I had kicked up dust as I moved around Azhar and hit him. When the haze cleared, I saw Principal Hakim and my teachers standing in front of me.

And I realized I was in deep trouble.

'In my office. Now.' Commanded Principal Hakim.

I nodded meekly.

Samar was glaring at me. Zaid was kicking the ground in fury. Najwa and Lia looked worried. But Haseeb, faithful old Haseeb had the biggest smile on his face. He pointed at Azhar being helped up some of the male staff, all bruised and bloody. His once blue shirt was now muddy and torn. And I was proud to see that his spikes were flattened.

Just like he was.

I couldn't wait to dance in glee.

Azhar wouldn't dare to do anything to me or my friends and family, ever again.

There was dust on me. My hair had come undone, my hand was still dripping blood and my uniform was dirty.

But I was happy.

Flicking my hair away from my face, I walked to Principal Sir's cabin proudly. My friends and stupid cousin brother flanked me. Even Zaid too. They were asking questions and calling me mad. Haseeb congratulated me. Najwa said it was foolishly brave of me to take Azhar on like that.

I didn't hear any of it.

'How will you explain this to Dadi?' Asked Zaid, speaking for the first time since the whole drama.

And his question wiped the smirk off my face.

Oh boy.

***
How is it????

Too much? Did Azhar deserve every bit? Was Junaina being too cruel?

Did you like the chapter?

Do let me know your thoughts!!

Stay tuned for more.

Love,
Ann